Inclusivity is the need of the hour: Dolly Kumar, Cosmic Nutracos Solutions

We, at Adgully, have always saluted and honoured women managers and leaders across diverse fields. W-SUITE is a special initiative from Adgully that has been turning the spotlight on some of the most remarkable women achievers in M&E, Advertising & Marketing, PR & Communication industry. In the refurbished series, we seek to find out how women leaders have been managing their teams and work as well as how they have been navigating through the toughest and most challenging times brought about by the global pandemic.

A cosmetic engineer, an entrepreneur and a business leader, Dolly Kumar is the Founder and Director of Cosmic Nutracos Solutions, the parent company of leading FMCG brands Gaia and Skinella. Gaia is a health and wellness brand, while Skinella is a skincare brand. As the Director, she is at the helm of all business strategies and decision making in the organisation.

In conversation with Adgully, Dolly Kumar speaks about how women leaders possess the art of handling challenges, readjusting to new working norms, maintaining gender equilibrium in organisation, and more.

How do you think the role and scope of women leaders has widened in the post-pandemic world?

The pandemic has highlighted the role of female leadership and the ways in which feminine attributes have been proven to be more efficient in leaders and mentors. As women, we inherently possess the art of handling challenges and prioritising our tasks. This has surely proven useful in the post pandemic world.

The rapid transition to digital, an uncertain economic landscape, charting unknown waters, and working from home – how have you been navigating during the COVID-19 times? How are you maintaining work-life balance in the new normal?

Working from home had its own challenges, not to mention the long working hours and difficulties in adjusting to the new norms. However, this also came with a lot of learnings, and the emphasis on technology and innovation was at its peak. The focus greatly shifted from profits to switching to a survival mode where we took into consideration the needs of our employees and equipped them with all that they needed to adjust and flourish.

I firmly believe that balancing is everything. Managing work and personal life requires a strong support system and I am blessed to have one. My work is always led by passion and it does not feel like I am working, rather waking up every morning and living a dream.

Readjusting to new working norms post the pandemic has been a challenge but setting new standards has been our ultimate goal and we try to fulfil it completely.

Multiple studies have shown how women leaders performed better during the COVID-19 crisis. According to you, what makes women the best in crisis management?

The balance that women create and the ability to multitask is what drives women leaders to respond more effectively to crisis. Women have the special ability to adapt, adjust and perform in any given situation. Another very important trait that women proudly own is empathy and the ability to connect with people, which in turn builds an environment of trust among colleagues and they feel empowered to perform in any given situation.

What are the five most effective lessons that you have learned as a woman leader?

The five most effective lessons that I have learnt as a woman leader are:

  1. Change is inevitable and we should be prepared for the worst
  2. Survival of the fittest is the truest maxim ever and one should be ready to face this reality
  3. There is no substitute for hard work and being efficient in one’s work.
  4. Communication is everything, and speaking your heart and mind with honesty will never backfire.
  5. Empathy for and responsibility of your people should be your priority, above all

Gender sensitivity and inclusion in the new normal – how can organisations effectively encourage and groom women leaders in challenging times?

Inclusivity is the need of the hour and we have been very conscious about the same. Providing key positions to women in our organisation and maintaining gender equilibrium in all departments. Being sensitive towards the needs of the women in the organisation and equipping them with adequate opportunities to grow and provide training for them to excel.

Media
@adgully

News in the domain of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Business of Entertainment

More in Media